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Lake Merced

Lake fishing  California · 06:38 - 17:08

Lake Merced is a lake set in California. The main target species are Striped Bass, Rainbow Trout and Common Carp.

Fair 33% The bite right now
Top bet: Striped Bass Slow during the night, water near its preferred 14 degrees, peak season, bright sky slows things.

Best day to fish

Tomorrow
80%
63°
Fri
83%
64°
Sat
85%
66°
Best day
Sun
76%
65°
Mon
76%
64°
Tue
78%
63°

The bite over the next days, scored at dusk. Based on the weather forecast, so it is guidance, not guarantees.

Conditions right now

Weather
Mainly clear
Water temp (est.)
56°F
Air temp
55°F
Wind
13 mph
Pressure
30.04 inHg ↑ rising
Clouds
29.0%

Water temperature is an estimate based on weather and season.

Best times today

Dawn 05:53–07:53 Dusk 15:53–17:53

Local time at the spot, from the most likely species' daily rhythm.

Feeding times today

Waning crescent 30% lit
Major period 07:18–09:18 Major period 19:18–21:18 Minor period 01:16–02:46 Minor period 13:50–15:20

Solunar times are a traditional guide based on the moon's position, separate from the live ranking above. Local time at the spot.

Next hours

03:00
55°
04:00
54°
05:00
54°
06:00
54°
07:00
54°
08:00
56°
09:00
58°
10:00
60°
11:00
61°
12:00
62°
13:00
63°
14:00
63°

Likely catch now (12 species)

Striped Bass
Morone saxatilis
33%
Slow during the night, water near its preferred 14 degrees, peak season, bright sky slows things.
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Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
22%
Slow during the night, water near its preferred 14 degrees.
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Common Carp
Cyprinus carpio
19%
Active through the night, off season.
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Blue Catfish
Ictalurus furcatus
18%
Active through the night, off season.
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Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
14%
Active through the night, water outside its comfort range.
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Flathead Catfish
Pylodictis olivaris
14%
Active through the night, water outside its comfort range, off season.
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About the fishing here

Anglers here regularly land Striped Bass, Rainbow Trout, Common Carp, Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish and Flathead Catfish.

For Striped Bass, the fishing tends to peak around Apr-May, Oct-Nov. The best windows are usually dawn and dusk.

A state fishing license is required to fish here. Napp ranks the species above from the live weather, water temperature, season and time of day, so the order changes through the day.

Guides for this water

Tips right now

Technique Start with a crankbait for striped bass, the most likely catch right now.
Colour Low light: try chartreuse, yellow and glow for striped bass.
Lure Crankbait for striped bass: Big swimbaits and plugs.
Timing Striped bass is slow at night. The best bite comes at dawn.
Depth The water temperature suits the fish. Fish actively at normal depths and edges.

Fishing permit

A state fishing license is required to fish here. Licenses are issued by each state:

About this water

Lake Merced is a freshwater lake located on the West Side of San Francisco, in the southwest corner of the city. It is surrounded by three golf courses, as well as residential areas, Lowell High School, San Francisco State University, Lakeshore Alternative Elementary School, Stonestown Galleria, Fort Funston and the Pacific Ocean. The San Francisco Police Department shooting range, as well as a now closed skeet shooting club and the city's National Guard armory are also in the area. The lake was also the home of the Lake Merced Sailing Club, now closed, which provided training and racing for local sailors. Currently there is a paddling program operated by San Francisco State University. The lake is home of the Pacific Rowing Club and St. Ignatius College Prep Rowing Team, both competitive rowing programs for San Francisco high school students.

Read more on Wikipedia →

Map

More waters nearby

Common questions

What fish can you catch at Lake Merced?

The usual catches here are Striped Bass, Rainbow Trout, Common Carp, Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish, Black Crappie and Brown Trout.

Do you need a fishing license at Lake Merced?

Yes. A state fishing license is required; see the link on this page for the state's rules.

When is the best time to fish Lake Merced?

Striped Bass is generally most active around Apr-May, Oct-Nov. The best windows are usually dawn and dusk.

What is biting at Lake Merced right now?

Right now Striped Bass is the most likely catch, at about 39%.